A website, which at first appears to be merely a scary hoax with an irresistible marketing ploy, turns out to be run by a sinister and deadly force. As people repeatedly tap into the site's frightening images of the dead, the… MoreA website, which at first appears to be merely a scary hoax with an irresistible marketing ploy, turns out to be run by a sinister and deadly force. As people repeatedly tap into the site's frightening images of the dead, the supernatural force begins controlling their lives.

There's a good film here, unfortunately it took me too long to realize it, then it finished. I found the story quite confusing to follow early-on so I had… MoreThere's a good film here, unfortunately it took me too long to realize it, then it finished. I found the story quite confusing to follow early-on so I had a tough time getting into it. Not so many scary moments either surprisingly, but there's a constant creepy atmosphere and a few moments that'll give you the chills. I really need to watch this again though when I'm in the mood.

Edward Boxler

It is unsettling, but it fails to deliver the scares.

Bruce Bruce

Japanese Horror is Real Horror. This is Cutting Edge. This was out long before the American Version, Japanese Version Foucus on Horror and keeping watcher on… MoreJapanese Horror is Real Horror. This is Cutting Edge. This was out long before the American Version, Japanese Version Foucus on Horror and keeping watcher on the edge of his seat, American version seem to foucus on Pretty Non Talented Teenage Girls. Worth adding to the collection

Greg S

A plague of ghosts abduct the living, leaving Tokyo and the world nearly deserted. Confusing, creepy, ambitious J-horror that tries to say something about… MoreA plague of ghosts abduct the living, leaving Tokyo and the world nearly deserted. Confusing, creepy, ambitious J-horror that tries to say something about modern loneliness.

Ariuza koraw

Well a not so scary film that seems to tend to really scar you with those really quite and just one liner camera scenes and a film that has a major apocalyptic… MoreWell a not so scary film that seems to tend to really scar you with those really quite and just one liner camera scenes and a film that has a major apocalyptic twist to it. Yes it can be confusing but it's the most orginal idea I have seen it a long time for a ghost or horror movie but I wasn't so scared though as what people have been saying about it. Cool yet complicated story
A new computer virus is spreading throw the new invention for its time called the internet but for some reason this virus seem to make people committee suicide or is a virus? No there ghosts and there invading for some reason and plan to infect the population of Japan.
Main question is "Can They Be Stopped??" You will have to see it shocking ending.
As I said its not scary like you would be told but some scenes scare you for some reason because there all quite and not moving. And you feel as if something will jump out. The acting is okay not brilliant or average just okay. I think that warehouse scene was the most ambiguous because what did happen to him exactly? But the acting from there on was slightly better or worse.
Unlike its remake it's not full of over the top visuals effects that just riddle the film like the ghosts for example or scenes or just really anything. I think the best scene in this film was the scene were that lady or girl jumps with no cut away that my friends was just mad. I think the main theme to this entire movie is loneliness or something like that. And your will to live And how the world is coming to an end with those grudge like ghosts that are scarier then the film itself.
But I think but the end you should somewhat view.

Stella Dallas

i wasn't always sure what was happening but it was pretty damn creepy. now i want to see cure

Kylie B

Some parts are genuinely creepy. The music really makes the film. I liked the begining but I'm not sure about the end. Unlike many Asian horror films (and… MoreSome parts are genuinely creepy. The music really makes the film. I liked the begining but I'm not sure about the end. Unlike many Asian horror films (and most horror films in general), there doesn't seem to be much of a resolution or explanation - but that perhaps makes the film more unsettling.

xGary Xx

A computer programmer succumbs to depression and suicide after viewing a mysterious website featuring enigmatic figures in morbid situations. One of the… MoreA computer programmer succumbs to depression and suicide after viewing a mysterious website featuring enigmatic figures in morbid situations. One of the original of the new wave of J Horrors, Pulse actually has a far stronger premise than most; that the spirit world has become vastly overpopulated and started to bleed into the living world. Unfortunately the story barely explores the implications of the idea til the last 20 minutes or so, leaving the vast majority of the rest of the film as a bunch of kids staring at pasty faced figures lurking in darkened corners and getting spooked by mysterious phone calls. In other words, exactly the same recipe as every other J Horror out there. It's quite atmospheric and the audio-visuals are occasionally interesting but by the time it had actually got to the point I didn't care any more. This may well be of interest to horror aficionados, but I'm just bored of the whole genre

Keiko Aya

The philosophical premise of Kairo is nihilism expressed through loneliness. The superficial "connections" that one sustains with other people are… MoreThe philosophical premise of Kairo is nihilism expressed through loneliness. The superficial "connections" that one sustains with other people are conveyed as brittle, meaningless trivialities that shatter when confronted with the relentless isolation that exists on a much deeper level. There are no cheap scares in this picture, as it relies on disturbing, long-sustained images highlighted by awkward ghost movements.. He has made no doubt the best horror movie ever made.
Kiyoshi is a criminally unknown director who is undoubtedly the single best filmmaker in the history of Japanese horror cinema. Unfortunately, many people confuse greatness with influence. Hideo Nakata is not a great director, but he did influence the entire film-making industry with Ringu. Kiyoshi Kurosawa, on the other hand, just makes great films - Kairo, Cure, Charisma, Retribution, Sťance, Loft, etc. That's the essential difference between excellence and mere market influence.
The most outrageous criticism of Kiyoshi is that his films lack content. This is a patently false claim that holds no weight whatsoever. Taking Kairo as an example, there are a number of subtle references to LONELINESS throughout the entirety of the film - the literal isolation of characters, the individual dots expressed within the computer program, the patterns of dissolved ash, the influence of communication and information through both ghostly apparitions as well as red tape, apocalyptic doom, suicide, character mannerisms and interrelationships, etc. In other words, there's a boatload of content in Kairo. Those who say otherwise have no idea what they're talking about.
This structure of film-making is one thing that makes Kiyoshi so amazing. He takes a simple concept like loneliness and creates a constellation of phenomena that reference back to the underlying theme of the film. Don't fool yourself: the entertainment value of Japanese horror is frequently about content, and Kairo is a perfect horror movie largely because of its philosophical elements. How many other films can make the same claim? What more do you people want?
How the massive quantity of content within Kiyoshi's cinematic portfolio goes unnoticed is beyond me. The only possible explanation is that his stunning talent for creating dense atmosphere leads some viewers to overlook his content. Still, there's no excuse for missing it. For example, there are tons of reviews for Tsai Ming-liang's dreadfully atrocious Viva L'Amour that gloat about that movie's depiction of solitude. I read these reviews with the knowledge that Kairo gets little to no credit for its truly amazing portrayal of loneliness.
But that's not all. We have even more ludicrous complaints coming from Westerners like, "The Japanese take their horror films too seriously." I laugh when hearing stuff like this. God forbid someone actually puts some effort into making a horror film. Has the Hollywood horror industry really crumbled to the point where even their most fervent followers don't expect anything remotely ambitious? That's a pretty pathetic state to be in.
The point of this review-turned-rant is to simply point out the obvious: Kiyoshi Kurosawa is the greatest Japanese horror filmmaker that ever lived. It might just be my opinion, but considering how any and all criticism seems to be based on illogic or narrow-mindedness, there's really no valid reason for believing otherwise.
Keiko's score 100% (not really a review something I type up while watching the film.

_kelly .King

Suffers from a slow pace, typical of ghost movies, but the number of times I checked the running length was pretty absurd (over seven). The plot specifics was… MoreSuffers from a slow pace, typical of ghost movies, but the number of times I checked the running length was pretty absurd (over seven). The plot specifics was at times indecipherable because of the cutting and some intentional ambiguity; also I think something may have been lost in the sub translation (I saw the version at Netflix).
On the positive, of which there is a significant chunk: the ghosts are actually scary. The visual team here very much understands the aspects of pixelated cameras that is creepy and lends itself to horror cinematography. The way these ghosts move is truly odd and frightening. The atmosphere of creepiness and loneliness is thick, only I wish the feeling of loneliness had increased throughout the film and not stayed level. The sound design is also incredible and scary; the dark patches that people disappear into are eerie and unique. Overall, a great modern ghost film.

Luke Baldock

A slow and brooding piece of atmospheric genius. Not exactly scary whilst you are watching it, it hits you later when you're all alone. Great effects and… MoreA slow and brooding piece of atmospheric genius. Not exactly scary whilst you are watching it, it hits you later when you're all alone. Great effects and acting. Once again Japanese horror proves you don't need loud noises and a scratchy soundtrack with fast edits to make a horror movie. In fact i'd strongly advise against it.